“How much does Jesus cost?”

Steinbach Bible College’s MX3 team travelled to southern Spain for three weeks.

What does it look like to sacrifice for the glory of Jesus? For some of the new friends that our MissionX3 team met in Spain, it meant they walked away from Islam and decided to follow Jesus. It meant more than just leaving a religion. Their families became more distant and, in some cases, it led to surrendering earthly safety. Even though this cost seemed significant and difficult, declaring their allegiance to Jesus was more important to them—it was clear that God had called them.

I know that our team was encouraged and challenged by the stories of these new friends. I cannot speak for everyone who was there, but these stories of faith led me to some questions about my own convictions. I often wondered, “What does it cost to follow Jesus in our context at home in Canada?”

One of the challenges of the Christian life is that it is hard to balance life in the world (in the context you are in) but to not be of the world (to live a life different than those around you). Throughout our whole time in Spain, I wondered how I, a normal person, could live a life that reflects Christ and gives glory to our God. I do not have a complete answer as to what this looks like. But I do know that I am incredibly grateful for the ways this was modelled for us in Spain by all the amazing people that we met.

I encourage you to pray for new Jesus followers who are living in a Muslim context. It is not easy to leave behind this religion because it is far more than just a set of beliefs—it is a lifestyle, a culture. And I would like you to pray that God would shape your faith not just into a simple set of beliefs that are followed, but a lifestyle that can be truly lived through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, bringing honour to our Father in heaven.